Fumihiro Joyu reports intention to leave AUM Shinrikyo cult

Tokyo, March 5 — Kyodo — Fumihiro Joyu, the current leader of the Aum Shinrikyodoomsday cult, reported to the Public Security Intelligence Agency on Monday that he and his followers intend to leave the cult and set up a new organization.

Joyu, 44, said the agency’s surveillance is necessary to eliminate residents’ concerns, and added his departure is not aimed at evading it and that he will cooperate with investigations.

The cult has been under surveillance since 2000 after crimes committed by Asahara, whose real name is Chizuo Matsumoto, and other cult members were brought to light.

Joyu is expected to establish a new organization with about 60 live-in and 200 lay members after leaving the cult this month, but the name of the new organization or when it will be established remain undecided, according to members supporting Joyu.

The cult currently has some 400 live-in and 690 lay members.

With Joyu leaving, Naruhito Noda, 40, will become the new leader of Aleph.